The one who befriends devil shall never see the light of God.
~The minister, Ambodia Volana.
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In the season of Zelos, at the month of Crol-22, in Ambodia Volana.

Just as the dew of nectar overflows through the turns of the wand and drips into the empty darkness of the air, reflecting its glow, the citrine shades of dawn peppered its thick drops to vanquish the ebony that was vastly spread. The peaceful blow of the morning mist let the sky take its form under some blurred lights to waken the birds and let them sing the soft alarms that awakened the rest of the beings.

The holistic rays glided over the green mountains, revealing the thick girth of the arena in little shadows. The glistening glow of falling waters and the reflective beams hitting the sky grabbed the peaceful moments of the one who was awake to witness this magical vision. Such an exquisite place was Ambodia Volana. 

"The morning is so beautiful. Isn't it, your highness? I hope the gods are happy for you!" The minister's voice interrupted the blend of the spellbinding nature and the emperor Zwisk, who was recording each moment of the dezae as though it were his final day here.

"Yes, minister. I agree. This dawn is indeed special to me. Indeed, it's going to make me the strongest man in the Lumas dynasty!" Zwisk made his note.

"I understand that, majesty! I came here to inform you that all our men and materials are ready for the march. We will start as soon as the orders are made."

Zwisk nodded his head and smiled at him. But he didn't answer him, and that confused the minister. When he was running his thoughts through his mind, he heard a terrible sound that was very familiar to him. It flummoxed him when the source let its wings reach in their direction. This flyer from over the horizon doesn't belong here. 

Why is this sinful creature here, he thought.

When his doubts feared him, he looked at his emperor, who was grinning in joy as he witnessed that creature. He could see Zwisk pulling out some paper from the inner pockets of his chemise beneath his royal mantle. The minister fell dumbfounded upon witnessing it all. This meant only one thing. The worst decision ever.

Before he could assemble his thoughts, the malicious bird neared them. The sword-sharp spikes of flaming hues rimmed their dark-cloaked trunk. With its eyes as red as a volcanic fire that nabbed the shades of ruby stone. The sizeable, blazing wings that poisoned the blissful blues of space and its stinking aurora replaced the misty musk. There was the creature of the curse, the Zondares.

It had neared them, landed on the bolstered rim lining the balcony. Raising one leg on-air, it bowed to him. As a mark of acceptance, Zwisk offered his bow and touched its rounded raven head. He then tied a rope around the piece of paper and pushed it inside the pocket like notch on the bird's leg. Before the minister could read what's happening in front of him, the bird flew back from where it had come, the evil North. His heart froze, and he backed himself. All he knew was that his emperor wasn't doing justice. When he tried to tread away, Zwisk held his hands.

"I hope you can keep this a secret. Won't you?"

"No! I'm sorry, your highness. I know I have been serving you, but I can't accept this side wherein you have bowed to the evil over the good. Leave me; I must go. I know now that this place shouldn't be needing me once for all. The one who befriends devil shall never see the light of God." The minister yelled with tears dripping down his eyes without facing him.

Zwisk could predict what he would do if he was let go. He couldn't let any danger fall between his plans. He turned him around, looked keenly into the minister's eyes, and murmured something. The minister couldn't hear what it was. Some shrieking blows of air puffed into his ears, and that's all he could remember. He closed his eyes to sense what'd been let into him. After a brief moment, he opened his eyes.

"Welcome, my minister. I hope our journey can commence anytime? Are the things prepared as told?"

"Yes, your highness! I have just come to tell you that."

"Sure, we'll start it now. Light up the prayer fires and get my guest's ready."

Stating that he marched towards his room to get ready for his war. The one for which he waited for so long. 

.•.•.•.•.•.•.•🌓•.•.•.•.•.•.•.

The light peeped into the darkness around them. That little ray glared into everyone's eyes. Rominia woke up suddenly when she could see a glow from one corner of the path that was laid towards them. She wondered who it was.

"My humble greetings, your highness. I'm here to fetch you, and your people, out of here. We're starting our march now." The minister said.

Everyone was expecting this and wasn't surprised or feared. Rominia got up from the floor and walked towards the door that was being opened. She followed him, and so everyone did. They made their way to enter the prisoner's chariot. And once again, they were locked inside, but this time they were wreathed by transparent lights instead of uncertain, opaque slopes. 

Zwisk made his appearance in his grey armour, and a metal guard had replaced his crown. He positioned himself on his imperialistic chariot and threw his closed fist into the air. Within no time, the men and the metals had started their travel. They all have begun their march towards Hivar.

They crossed many turning roads, and the rough floor of the prisoner's chariot made their journey more irksome than it was. When the almost last twist was made on the wheels, they could see the expansive Ezust river in front of them. The white, foamy, clear waterbed, with its silvery glow, had let it acquire this name.

It was surrounded by small hills on its sides that had lavender and cedarwood trees to fill the air with a strong scent. The guests and the men, along with the emperor, boarded the majestic ships of Ambodia. The cedar wood-built gold-lined frames glared everyone's eyes, and the well-laid construction matched its pace with the rough turns and tides of the divine river.

At the start of the voyage, some huge boxes were also boarded that had minute holes on their top and lower sides. Another two ships, one at their back and one at the front, were carrying numerous pieces of luggage in the same fashion.

What would be in it? Rominia was very curious. 

She was already perplexed by the dream and wasn't ready to take any further chances. She tried to ask someone, but no one was around them except two guards who escorted her and never turned to her. 

After a long wait, they had neared the Hivar. Those boxes were re-arranged near the exit gate for the landing. They were moved by other soldiers while one man was commanding them. She stopped one of the men who was carrying the huge load and questioned him.

"May I know what's inside these huge containers? These look very huge and very heavy. Can you kindly tell me?" She asked him as politely as possible. 

"My lady, these are the weapons that we need for the war."

"Weapons? But! I have never seen such huge weapons, and if they're mere metals, why are the containers be punched with numerous holes at many places?"

"Please, prisoned lady, I can understand your concern. But we're not supposed to reveal anything further. We have our commands to follow."

With that much information, he moved the box as fast as he could, but unfortunately he had hit it in the other box that was kept beside. A fully-toned growl was heard from within. The clamouring noise shrilled in their ears. Before they could make their hearts understand the impulses that had amassed on their nerves, the chain of growls echoed from every other box that was queued around them. Terrible fear and agony waged a war within the Hivarians. 

"So the weapons you mentioned are wolves, aren't they?" she yelled at him. But the soldier didn't respond. He moved as fast as he could and was busy executing his duty.

"Highness. How can anyone use wolves in a war? Those nervy builds are hard to handle for any men." The chief let out his dubious intuition.

"I'm not worried about those clueless thoughts. All I could do now is to inform Walor about this."

"Yes, your highness. You are right. I will handle the time until you speak to him. We are already nearing the end of the riverbed. Sooner, we will reach Hivar. Without any delay, you shall do your duties, your highness." The chief whispered it to her. Then he signalled for his men to cover her from all angles. The vyūg was formed so patiently without any dubious fuss.

Rominia closed her eyes. She touched her tongue on her palate to enable the cosmos to help her communicate. She painted his image in her mind and called out for him.

"Walor. Are you awake? Please answer me. I need to talk to you; it is very important."

But Rominia heard no answers.

.•.•.•.•.•.•.•🌓•.•.•.•.•.•.•.

Zelos, Zeuta-22, At Gezareal Hivar:

The warm rays of dawn fell on the grounds of Hivar. The white palace started to shimmer as the nettles of rays swayed upon them. The mirrors were kissed by the linear slant gleams that were reflected to converge at the central dooms of the hallways. The bright light lit up the surrounding area and replaced the shadow of the night. The birds were flying peacefully, and the sky had golden glitter spread all over the silver clouds. Everyone was so happy to see this magnificent blow of the day.

Walor was still sleeping on his bed. His birdie was already awake in her crib. She moved the crib, trying to create some noise. Still, he was sleeping so serenely. She moved to one of its ends and pushed the crib along with her. Together, they neared him, and she placed her palms on his cheek and gave him a slight pat. Yet he didn't move an inch. She gave him a tight pat on the face this time. To her reward, Walor jerked and opened his eyes to that soft slam.

"Ow. My little princess is awake. How are you up this early? You're becoming good girl, I see." Walor was so happy to wake up on her demand. His eyes fell on the crib, which was lying so close to him. Then he glanced around to find no one except them. He was very satisfied to see her commitment to him. He took her on his hand and woke up from the bed to stand on his feet. 

"Highness... Are you awake?" From one edge of the room, he heard Rivard's voice calling him. His tone had the blend of worry soaked in anger.

"Good morning, my pal! I'm so happy to see you and my beloved birdie at the start of the day. I hope this day turns out great."

"I wish we could hope for that. Sorry to bother you now, but I have an important issue to discuss." He sounded more official. Walor gave a questioning look. 

"We spotted three ships on the Ezust riverbed. When I looked at the flags flying atop them, I saw a growling wolf with the bloody red eyes. I predict that Zwisk has already began the war."

"What! How could? Are you sure? But the empress and the chief hadn't returned yet. What's happening?" Walor became speechless, and his heart raced faster than that of a mad runner.

"Be ready to take cover, Rivard. I'll try to speak to her somehow." He ordered him.

Rivard nodded his head and sped up his steps to execute his orders. Walor placed his daughter on his lap, closed his eyes, and called for his wife. To his amazement, he was answered sooner than he hoped.

"Mina. Where are you? What's happening there? We had already spotted his ships on the riverbed. Are you alright?"

"Thank the Lord, Walor! At last, you had seen them. Before I answer your queries, I must inform you of something important to you,' she replied. 

"Tell me, Mina. What is it?"

"Walor, he is going to use those aggressive wolves in the war. There are many here!"

"Don't worry about that! We had kept the plans already to face them. How are you all doing there? Who's near you? Are you all safe?"

His words pacified her heart. So she chose to explain to him the happenings of the previous evening until the present. On hearing all those from her, Walor was totally annoyed.

How dare he break every rule of warfare! He cussed him and took his breath. But he couldn't blame him because he still remembered the very first time they broke it together. 

"How did he make that happen, Mina? Yesterday was your powerful dezae of the Lune-Lure Loop. What failed you?"

"That's the shame I had to face for believing him. He poisoned me. He added the Neifar fluid to the holy water. And that took a toll on me. I'm not bothered by that now, but by yesterday's."

She suddenly stopped talking. She felt timid to have let her tongue so loose.

"Yesterday's what. Tell me, Mina. Don't hide anything. It yields no good." Walor pulled her in.

"Nothing much, Walor, just I had a nightmare."

"On what! What did you see?" He grew impatient. 

"Walor. If you can, kindly stop the war. I know it's very vague, but that's the truth."

"Why? What's wrong?"

"Ok. I'm telling it now. I saw piles of skeletons around me, and still, without fear, I moved ahead. I saw you fight with many men when Zwisk stuck his sword in your heart. You fell, Walor." Her voice grew weak, and he could sense that.

"I ran to him and killed him with my own hands, and at last, I kept your head on my lap. I tried to heal you, but before I could act, you grew pale, and your head hung down, letting your tears touch my knees. You know really well that when my powers are full, I get visions. And so I'm saying this: please, for our sake, stop the war. I don't want to lose any of us." She pleaded with him. 

Her words pierced his heart so heavily as a crucifying sword. He couldn't stand on that end. He didn't fear death, but he couldn't be the reason for Zwisk's demise. The one for whom he stood against many men. He couldn't let the war happen, and he couldn't let his people suffer under him. When a gusty black mist occupied his baffled mind, he tears stormed his eyes. Those drops fell on the crescent forehead of their little princess. To his amazement, a bright light filled his eyes even when they were closed. He gave up his sorrows abruptly and opened his eyes.

He felt dumbstruck to find that those beams radiated from his precious birdie through the surface of those dews of his tears. When he was trying to understand what was going on, she placed her palm on his cheek and rubbed it swiftly. He started walking towards the door akin to a man possessed while glueing his eyes to hers. He couldn't comprehend how things were taking shape around him. With each step forward, her shimmers expanded to fill the realm. When he reached the entrance of the palace, everyone, including Rivard and the countrymen, was witnessing the magic that was happening in front of them.

When everyone was confused about what was going on, the malevolent and majestic Yazhis that were summoned for the war bowed to her in submission. Some of the light veined to stream in the direction of the war field, while the rest grew wider to cover the province. Some Yazhis emerged out of the forest with a great roar and followed the expanding stream of light as if they were escorting it. At last, everyone knew it all. At last, things were alining in the best ways possible.